The Oseberg Bronze Buddhas

On the bucket found as part of the Oseberg ship burial there are two bronze handle-mounts in the form of buddha-like figures. It is commonly thought that there is just one but there are in fact two that were adjoined to the bucket but of slightly different design. The most well-known figure features a blue equilateral cross which may be a sun cross.In each quadrant of the cross there is a swastika. He is sitting in a typical lotus position. On the other figure however we see a different type of equilateral cross in yellow with what appears to be Sowilo runes in each arm of the cross rather than swastikas. Sowilo/Sigel/Sig/Sol is associated with the swastika/fylfot. This second figure although he has a contemplative face nevertheless is standing rather than sitting. The difference in pose and symbolism may be deliberate, a juxtaposition if you will. Some scholars speculate that the figures have a Celtic origin, others Germanic. However it is significant that meditation was a practice known in the North as can be further verified from the antlered Cernunnos figure on the Gundestrup cauldron.